To all the witches stuck in a home where they can’t openly practice, I feel you and I hope that you can find a safe way of staying connected to your practice during this time
I am so so so grateful for my garden at home. I don’t know how I’d manage to stay mentally healthy without it during this lockdown period. Today I cleared all of the little paths and planted some delphiniums and geraniums. It has been in need of some major TLC and now I’m back I can get going!
Self-isolation Earth grounding and intention setting
With many of our lives in disarray and our hearts full of anxiety, I wanted to share some words that could be used alone or within a spell. Personally I spoke these while tending to my plants and setting my intentions for the following few weeks. I encourage you to adapt these words to match your will but hopefully this might help someone out!
“I place my trust in the Earth and give Her my love and reverence. As I tend to Her will through spreading kindness and peace may my roots deepen and my mind be settled. May my branches reach those in need during this difficult time and bring them much needed healing and peace. So is my will, so mote it be.”
Stay safe my fellow witches! Many blessings to you and your hearth, Runa x
I have a new fern - a Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). Unfortunately I don’t have much luck with ferns despite best efforts (so if anyone has any tips please do share!), so I thought I should get a picture of it whilst it’s looking so well.
You will find that there are many common varieties of flowers (or any plant for that matter,) that are poisonous, toxic, or venomous. There are a few relatively safe ways to still use them (without touch or consumption) in your craft if you so wish.
There are plants that can cause organs to stop functioning, including your lungs, kidneys, and heart. This is why it is so important to research properly, and understand how to safely handle it if desired. Do not leave these within the reach of pets or children.
Do NOT ingest these flowers or consume them in any way. This includes burning them for smoke cleansing. In fact, please don’t put anything on or in your body without research, identification, and consulting a medical professional about it first.
Consumption Alternatives:
Contained Vessels:
After properly drying these plants, you can use these plants in sealed sachets and bottle spells, or leave them hanging in a safe place to have a consistent and fluid stream of their energies. Please handle with gloves.
Growing:
If you possess a pet or small child, this is probably not the suggestion for you. Many practitioners use dried foliage because it preserves better and is flammable if desired. However, having a growing and alive plant around also can attract the intentions you desire if done strategically with intent. Please handle with gloves.
Baneful Magic:
Applying the aforementioned methods I’ve laid out, you can sometimes use toxic plants in these forms to do Baneful Magic. Any positive attribute a flower can bring can also be used to revoke or withdraw it, alongside the already toxic energy. Please handle with gloves.
Toxic Flower Magical Properties:
Bluebell:
Prosperity, honesty, contentment, dignity, prosperity, honor, gratitude, wealth, great fortune, humility, thankfulness, and blessings. Toxic.
You will find that there are many common varieties of flowers (or any plant for that matter,) that are poisonous, toxic, or venomous. There are a few relatively safe ways to still use them (without touch or consumption) in your craft if you so wish.
There are plants that can cause organs to stop functioning, including your lungs, kidneys, and heart. This is why it is so important to research properly, and understand how to safely handle it if desired. Do not leave these within the reach of pets or children.
Do NOT ingest these flowers or consume them in any way. This includes burning them for smoke cleansing. In fact, please don’t put anything on or in your body without research, identification, and consulting a medical professional about it first.
Consumption Alternatives:
Contained Vessels:
After properly drying these plants, you can use these plants in sealed sachets and bottle spells, or leave them hanging in a safe place to have a consistent and fluid stream of their energies. Please handle with gloves.
Growing:
If you possess a pet or small child, this is probably not the suggestion for you. Many practitioners use dried foliage because it preserves better and is flammable if desired. However, having a growing and alive plant around also can attract the intentions you desire if done strategically and intent. Please handle with gloves.
Baneful Magic:
Applying the aforementioned methods I’ve laid out, you can almost always use poisonous plants in these forms to do Baneful Magic. Any positive attribute a flower can bring can also be used to revoke or withdraw it, alongside the already toxic energy. Please handle with gloves.
Poisonous Flower Magical Properties:
Azalea:
Elegance, knowledge, abundance, beauty, majesty, intelligence, blessings, magnificence, great fortune, splendor, gracefulness, and wisdom. Poisonous.
Bleeding Heart:
Love, enthusiasm, cleansing, healing, soothing, rebirth, purification, inspiration, romance, compassion, creation, and the space betwixt boundaries. Poisonous.
Don’t have a bath and still want to relax? Want the spa-like experience without the high costs? Want a lovely way to pamper yourself? Then go ahead and try out this DIY bath steamer recipe.
Ingredients & Necessary Items: ❅ Silicone Mold ❅ Glass Bowl ❅ Whisk ❅ Measuring Utensils ❅ Face Mask ❅ Baking Soda (8oz or 1cup) ❅ Citric Acid (8oz or 1 cup) ❅ Polysorbate 80 (Can also use Sorbitan Oleate)(2.5oz or 1/3 cup) ❅ Essential Oils of Your Choosing (Minimum of 10 drops per scent, adjusted to your smell preference.) ❅ A Colorant of Choice (Plant Power, Flower Dye, etc) ❅ Dried Herbs and/or Flowers (Optional) ❅ Nitrile Gloves
Prep Work: ❅ Grab your gloves and mask. It’s not the best to inhale the dry ingredients so a well ventilated space (at least a window open) is needed. Gloves are necessary because direct contact with the dry ingredients can cause dryness in skin or irritate it.
Initial Instructions: ❅ Mix your dry ingredients together (Baking Soda & Citric Acid) into a class bowl. I recommend sifting the Baking Soda into the Citric Acid as it will combine better. Stir with a whisk to further combine. Add in half of the herbs and/or flowers you think you’ll want. ❅ If you choose to have colored steamers, stir in the Flower or Plant Powder. If you don’t add in a colorant, they’ll be white and can still be really pretty. ❅ Mix the wet ingredients together (Polysorbate 80/Sorbitant Oleate and Essential Oils) until the Essential Oils blend evenly with Polysorbate 80/Sorbitant Oleate. There should be little to no streaking of the Oils in the mixture. ❅Add the wet ingredients into the dry material little by little while mixing with a whisk. Once initially combined, begin to mix with your gloved hands, kneading until the liquids are nicely distributed. This mixture should have the consistency of wet sand– just moist enough to hold its shape when pressed together. ❅ Adjust mixture as needed
Silicone Mold Usage: ❅ Add in herbs and/or flowers to mold before you add in mixture. Go lightly and be sure to avoid the edges of the mold. ❅ Fill the mold(s) with the mixture and press the mixture into the mold with your fingertips, paying attention to any edges in the mold. Fill and compress bit by bit until mold is completely full. Then take the bottom of something flat and hard (like a measuring cup) to further flatten and compress. ❅ Let dry overnight for a 24 hour period. Room temperature is OK and the mold can remain uncovered. Do not leave in a moist/humid area. ❅ Gently demold, tapping the mold to check if it sounds and feels solid. If so, continue with the demolding process. Very gently loosen the steamer from the mold by carefully pulling away the silicone while using your thumbs to gently push out the steamer.
Notes: ❅ Feel free to check out this post of mine for essential oil combinations to use. There’s more essential oils for those associations than I have in that post so if you have questions or want more options, feel free to ask. ❅ All ingredients can be found locally in grocery stores, in specialty shops or even online.
Tarot Cards & Their Simple Meanings (Yes, No, or Undecided):
The Major Arcana 0 The Fool - Yes 1 The Magician - Yes 2 The High Priestess - Undecided 3 The Empress - Yes 4 The Emperor - No 5 The Hierophant - Undecided 6 The Lovers - Yes 7 The Chariot - Yes 8 Strength - Yes 9 The Hermit - Undecided 10 Wheel of Fortune - Yes 11 Justice - Yes 12 The Hanged Man - Undecided 13 Death - No 14 Temperance - Undecided 15 The Devil - No 16 The Tower - No 17 The Star - Yes 18 The Moon - No 19 The Sun - Yes 20 Judgement - Yes 21 The World - Yes
Swords Ace of Swords - Yes Two of Swords - Undecided Three of Swords - No Four of Swords - Undecided Five of Swords - No Six of Swords - Yes Seven of Swords - No Eight of Swords - No Nine of Swords - No Ten of Swords - No Page of Swords - Yes Knight of Swords - Yes Queen of Swords - No King of Swords - Undecided
Pentacles Ace of Pentacles - Yes Two of Pentacles - Undecided Three of Pentacles - Yes Four of Pentacles - No Five of Pentacles - No Six of Pentacles - Yes Seven of Pentacles - Undecided Eight of Pentacles - Yes Nine of Pentacles - Yes Ten of Pentacles - Yes Page of Pentacles - Yes Knight of Pentacles - Yes Queen of Pentacles - Yes King of Pentacles - Yes
Wands Ace of Wands - Yes Two of Wands - Undecided Three of Wands - Yes Four of Wands - Yes Five of Wands - No Six of Wands - Yes Seven of Wands - Undecided Eight of Wands - Yes Nine of Wands - Undecided Ten of Wands - No Page of Wands - Yes Knight of Wands - Yes Queen of Wands - Yes King of Wands - Yes
Cups Ace of Cups - Yes Two of Cups - Yes Three of Cups - Yes Four of Cups - No Five of Cups - No Six of Cups - Yes Seven of Cups - Undecided Eight of Cups - No Nine of Cups - Yes Ten of Cups - Yes Page of Cups - Yes Knight of Cups - Yes Queen of Cups - Yes King of Cups - Yes
To be grounded and centered is necessary to be mindful in your daily activities. It is also crucial, as we know, after a spiritual practice or after magick working. And in an overall view, to be grounded is good for you, as you can be a better version of yourself. So let’s tap in. Here are some grounding techniques which works for me:
The basic grounding technique is mindful deep breading.
Wherever you are, preferably in a quiet place, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Feel the fresh air filling your abdomen, your lungs, and your throat, then exhale slowly. Repeat until you feel connected.
If you’d like to deepen the effect, add a visualization.
Sit or lay down comfortably, eyes closed, and imagine that you are on the ground. Feel the soil beneath you, and imagine a flow of energy coming down your body and connects with Earth’s depths. The element you’ll be working with is obviously earth, so you may imagine yourself as a tree, deepening its roots into the ground.
Another option is using crystals.
Basically, any black, brown, or red crystal will do the work, as they refer to our first, root chakra which connects us to the physical plane of being. Personally, I prefer tiger’s eye, black onyx, and red jasper in my practice. As you meditate, place the crystal of your choice in your left hand (the ‘energy receptive’ hand), take deep breaths, and sense the crystal’s energy, let it ground you.
Note – make sure you’ve cleansed the crystal before use.
Foods and herbs for grounding:
Grains and their products.
Vegetables and berries.
Basil, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and rosemary.
Bonus–
Grounding herbal tea recipe:
1 cup of boiled water
1 cinnamon stick
3-4 slices of ginger
1 lemon slice
1-2 tsp. of honey
Mix the ingredients (except the honey) and leave it under a cover for 5 min. (so the essential oils won’t evaporate). Add the honey and enjoy your tea.
This morning I crafted up some protection oil. This can be used for anointing candles, spaces, yourself and anything you want to protect. Let’s look at the recipe
✧ Sunflower Oil
You can basically use any carrier oil. I use sunflower oil because it’s inexpensive and carries sun properties of healing and happiness
✧ Pink Himalayan Salt
Salt has great protection properties and pink salt is great for enhancing spellwork and it’s powers. A little boost for everything else in the oil
Sub: any salt you associate with protection (normal salt works too)
✧ Rosemary
A great catchall but I infused the intention of protection into this rosemary for the oil
Sub: Any herb you associate with protection. Sage and juniper are others
✧ Lavender
It smells nice…and also! It’s good for inducing a sense of calm protection. When protected with this oil, I want to feel calm and safe
Sub: Any herb associated with calming. Like chamomile! (Tea bags anyone?)
How do I put it together?
☾ Gather your herbs. To start the intention train, make sure you know why you’re grabbing each ingredient. Think about it. This begins infusing your ingredients with intention
☾ Place the ingredients into a mortar and pestle, thinking about the intention of each. This can include a keyword (protection, calm) and also thinking about the feeling (how does it feel to be protected and safe?)
☾ Grind the ingredients up into powder while thinking of intention. You can infuse while grinding clockwise to bring protection
☾ Add a bit of powder to little glass jars or whatever container you would like to use for your anointing oils
☾ Fill the rest with oil. Leave air room to shake it up
☾ Enjoy! (Shake before every use! The powder will sink to the bottom)
